Thistle Hotels calls creative review following restructure

Thistle Hotels, one of the UK’s leading hotel chains, is reviewing its creative agency arrangements.

The pitch is being led by sales and marketing director Stuart Leven, alongside marketing director Iain Richards, who reports to him. Several agencies are understood to be pitching and a decision is expected to be made before the end of the year.

The company refuses to comment on its marketing budget for the year ahead or which agencies it currently works with. In the past it has worked with Arnold Interactive to bolster its online and database marketing.

Leven was appointed earlier this year (MW March 2) to replace Richard Adler. Reporting to chief executive Tim Scoble, Leven joined from Choice Hotels Europe, where he was director of sales and marketing for 14 months and was on the executive board.

Leven’s appointment followed a group reorganisation at Thistle. He assumed responsibility for the development of the Thistle Hotel brand and luxury hotel brand Guoman, which Thistle launched in April 2004 and includes the flagship Cumberland Hotel in London. He also oversees the day-to-day running of the sales, revenue, marketing and distribution operations.